During the summertime, sun protection is at the forefront of all our minds, which is why we love using self-tanner to give us a glow without risking extended UV exposure. However, options for dark skin can be tricky to find, especially ones that don’t leave an orange, brassy finish (nobody wants to look like a sun-soaked Cheeto). To find the best options for brown skin as well as useful shopping tips, I spoke with Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, and spray tan artists Sabrina Johnson at Gold Trim Aesthetics in Los Angeles and Kristina Black of Southern Luxe Beauty in Nashville.
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The best self tanners for dark skin
Our list includes mousse, lotions, tanning drops and more, all of which are either recommended by experts or are top-rated options with a shade range suitable for deeper skin tones.
Best overall: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse
Garshick recommends this formula from St. Tropez because it allows you to customize the depth of your tan depending on how long you leave it on before rinsing, which she says makes it a great option for deeper skin tones. “It settles evenly, is not sticky and the lightweight mousse is easy to blend for a natural-looking finish,” she says. The formula also includes glycerin and aloe leaf juice for added hydration, according to the brand.
Best mousse: Norvell Venetian Self-Tanning Mousse
This tanning mousse from Norvell includes a combination of violet and brown bronzer tones, which help to cancel out brassiness and work well with red and neutral undertones, making it great for deeper skin, according to the brand. It has a streak-free finish and is noncomedogenic, so it’s ideal for oilier, acne-prone skin.
Best tanning drops: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
For an even facial tan, add these drops to your serums and moisturizers. The formula is lightweight and buildable, making it easy to get a natural finish, and is also bronzer-free, which Johnson says makes it easy to apply and go about your day. They also include vitamin E and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate your skin during wear, according to the brand.
Best tanning lotion: Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner Body Lotion
This lotion works gradually to help your tan form and deepen over a few days, according to the brand. The gradual process helps the tan look more natural, and makes it a great option for adding a natural glow in the wintertime. My mom, who has a tan to medium-deep skin tone, has been a longtime fan of this lotion for years, and she especially loves using it for a natural-looking tan during transitional seasons like spring, when the sun isn’t quite hot enough to get darker the natural way.
Best tanning mist: Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
We love Isle of Paradise’s Self Tanning Drops for their color-corrective properties, and the Self Tanning Water is a great tanning mist alternative. The lightweight spritz is fast-absorbing, transparent and transfer-proof, making it a surefire way to tan without worrying about messing up your clothes or sheets. It’s safe for use on the face and body, and includes grapefruit and chia seed oils for hydration and protection from environmental stressors, according to the brand.
Best tanning wipes: Tantowel Self-Tan Towelettes
These towelettes are great for reapplications while you’re out, since they’re easy to apply and come pre-soaked in tanning liquid. Each pack contains ten wipes, which come individually wrapped. For best results, apply the towelette to clean, dry skin, and rub gently in a circular motion, according to the brand.
Best for a dark tan: B.Tan Tanned AF Mousse
This mousse from B.Tan is formulated to give you the darkest tan possible, making it great for those with medium to deeper skin tones. It has a streak-free finish that’s fast-drying and doesn’t include any orange tones, helping you avoid the brassy look, according to the brand. You can rinse it off in as little as one hour, or can leave it on for four hours or more for a darker, double-coated tan.
How I picked the best self-tanners for dark skin
I kept the following in mind when choosing the best self-tanners for dark skin:
- Skin tone: In our article on the best self-tanners, experts recommend considering your skin tone and undertones when making your choice. Since we’re focusing on dark skin, I chose brands with a range of options that include medium and darker shades, along with shades that work for cool, neutral or warm undertones.
- Formula type: Self-tanners typically come in five formulations, including mists, lotions, mousses, drops and wipes. The best formulation for you will depend on your skin type and preferences (more on that below), and I was sure to include options across all formulation types.
How to shop for self-tanners for dark skin
When shopping for a self-tanner of your own, be sure to keep in mind your skin tone/undertones, along with which formulations work best for your skin type.
What’s the best self-tanner color for dark skin?
When choosing a self-tanner, Black recommends starting off with a lighter shade and working your way up — it’s a process of trial and error, so if it isn’t initially dark enough, try going one shade darker, she says. Some additional tips for choosing a self-tanner color for dark skin include:
- Look for “ultra dark”, “deep” or “deep bronze” shade labels — these are colors usually formulated for medium-dark to deep skin.
- Black suggests looking for self-tanners that even and brighten your skin tone, rather than severely changing your color/tone. The tanners should “add a healthy sheen without appearing muddy,” she says.
- Keep undertones in mind. Dark skin can have yellow, pink, red and neutral undertones just like any other skin tone, and choosing a formula that matches your undertone will help you get the very best finish to your at-home tan.
- Olive undertones: Violet-based self-tanners that cancel out yellow tones.
- Pink/red undertones: Green-based self-tanners that cancel out red tones.
- Neutral undertones: Neutral or red-leaning-based tanners, which Johnson says tend to work best on darker skin.
What’s the best self-tanner formulation for your skin type?
The best formula for you will depend on your skin type, your preferred method of application, and what you’re using it for.
- Mousse is one of the easiest methods to apply, since they have a lightweight texture that tends not to streak. They also dry quickly, and are great for beginners and those with oily skin, says Johnson.
- Lotion is great for dry or sensitive skin, since it can add extra hydration and helps build a slower, more gradual tan over the span of a few days, says Johnson. They’re also handy for maintaining your tan between full applications.
- Mist can be used to fill in patchiness and reach hard-to-reach areas, along with tanning the face and neck without using too much product.
- Drops help you to add a bit of glow to your serums or moisturizers, and are great for customizing the darkness and shade of your tan. They’re also popular for use on the face, since they’re usually very lightweight, says Garshick.
- Wipes are ideal for touch-ups on the go, since they’re less messy and are great for controlling the application of your tan.
How do you find your skin’s undertones?
In our guide to tinted sunscreens, professional makeup artists recommended checking the veins on the inside of your wrist — the colors will let you know if you have warm, cool or neutral undertones.
- Warm undertones: If your veins look green, you likely have warm undertones, meaning you should look for shades with a yellow, gold or peachy base.
- Cool undertones: Blue or purple veins signal cool undertones, which are best suited for shades with pink, red or blue bases.
- Neutral undertones: If you can’t easily determine the color of your veins, you most likely have neutral undertones, which work best with a balanced blend of warm and cool-toned bases.
What are the most common self tanner mistakes?
The most common self tanner mistakes are skipping your tanning prep, not using a mitt and rushing the process. Garshick recommends a few tips for helping to avoid them:
- Exfoliate your skin before you apply and pay attention to knees, elbows and other areas with thicker skin, says Garshick. Since self-tanner reacts with the dead skin cells on the surface, having dry, flaky skin will make a significant difference in how evenly the color develops.
- Using a tanning mitt can create a much more even application, resulting in smoother, more consistent coverage overall. It also helps prevent the tanner from staining your hands.
- Lastly, take your time when using self-tanner. Self tanners need time to properly develop, so applying it too quickly or getting your skin wet too early can lead to uneven, patchy coloring. “Give the product its full developing time before showering or exercising,” says Garshick.
Frequently asked questions
Self-tanner can last between five and seven days, depending on your skin type, skin prep and how you treat your skin during wear, according to experts.
Yes, self-tanners are safe for your skin. However, if you have very sensitive skin or are allergic to dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the active ingredient in a lot of self-tanners, you may want to avoid using them.
Developing time is the expected length of time for your tan to develop. While regular tanners can take up to eight hours, express tanners can take between one and three hours, while others may develop slowly over a few days.
Self-tanner fades as the skin naturally exfoliates; however, you can speed up the process by soaking in a warm bath or shower. Afterward, Garshick recommends following up with a gentle exfoliant using a washcloth, body mitt or body scrub.
Meet our skin care experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
- Sabrina Johnson is a spray tan stylist at Gold Trim Aesthetics in Los Angeles.
- Kristina Black is a spray tan artist and owner of Southern Luxe Beauty in Nashville.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering beauty, skin care and wellness topics like how to find sunscreens for dark skin and the best ways to keep skin hydrated overnight. For this piece, I interviewed skin care and tanning experts on everything you need to know about buying self-tanner for deeper skin tones.
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